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| I'm looking to have a rod custom built (9') for throwing big blades and medium size rubber baits (8oz). I'm looking for something that you'd love to throw all day long! If you were to have to one built, who would you have build it and what blank would you have them use. The max you can spend is $350.
I'd appreciate any good suggestions.
SK
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Posts: 909
| I got one from Thorne Bros. alittle while back just like you described! Its their C-Series Rod! It cost me $220 to the door! Nicest rod I've ever held! Absolutley Beautiful!
Brian |
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Posts: 112
Location: algonquin Illinois | All my rods are built by Scott & Sean Bermingham of Dadson's custom rods.
They are in addison Illinois. Give them a call. They will walk you through the process and build you a great rod. They are a pleasure to throw all day long.
1-630-832-4241 for Scott
1-224-535-9085 for Sean |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Lonnie at Thorne Bros. is by far one of the best rod builders in the country. I have use all sorts of custom rods from all sorts of builders. No one comes close the the workmanship and the speed that Lonnie possesses.
I would recommend a Custom Thorne Bros. Predator Heavy (It is a ST.CROIX Custom blank just for Thornes). It will be close to your spending limit, but it'll be the best rod for the money - Unless you can bump up your limit to just under 400, get a Slingblade custom from Lonnie. They are sick! For blades and rubber, it doesn't get any better. Call thornes to get exactly what you want! |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Gotta agree w/ Jerry. Thorne Bros has been at it a long, long time. The heavy predator or steel 25 would be a good starting point. Call them and tell them what you want to do. |
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Posts: 743
| Thornes all the way. As matter of fact I just got a Predator XH and Croix TM Jerk in the mail yesterday.
I'd like to try a Professional Edge rod and probably would have if he was in Chicago this year. But since he wasn't I stuck with what I know are great rods. |
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Posts: 462
Location: Antioch, IL | Frank's Custom Rods will always get my vote. The number of variables that Frank took into consideration when building a rod for me and multiple rods for many of my boat partners is amazing. The guy truly tailors the rod just for you and the intended application....not to mention they are freaking works of art. His thread work is stunning. He's on here from time to time. You should track him down and talk with him before making a decision. |
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Posts: 2024
| I will throw in another vote for Frank's (Bottiglieri) rods. You tell him what you want and he'll build it to your specs. Any other components (i.e., different guide types, fat cork, etc.) he'll help you out with. And as Dave said, his thread work is UNREAL. I have one of Frank's rods and it is my go-to rod for just about everything. If I were looking to get a rod for big blades and mag Dawgs, I'd look at the Loomis Steel 25. LOTS of good reports on that blank (do a search on the forum) and I know Frank is a big propenent of the blank as well. Whatever you get/whoever you go with, YOU'LL LOVE IT. Customs rock! |
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Posts: 81
Location: Toronto, Ontario | I love Frank's rods too, they're fantastic. I have one and it's both a work of art and incredibly functional based on all the questions he has for you on your intended use for the rod and his incredible skill as a rod builder. Great guy too. |
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Posts: 20
| I think all of the places mentioned are good, I live close to Thorne Brothers and have had nothing but good experiences with them. They will make you exactly what you want, just give them a call. I just purchesed a 9' Hvy Predator from them, awsome rod. |
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Posts: 375
| i've got three croix legends custom built by keith at proedge rods. great guy, actually listens to you and builds what YOU want / need. all three are built out to 8' 10" with the syncork handles and i will never go back to those "short" rods again. your choice of guides / wrap colors / etc. for the application you are looking for you just can't beat the croix legend built on the XH big dawg blank. i use mine for exactly what you want it for and that blank is just perfect! |
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| Sounds like there are a lot of good rod builders out there! I'm going to stay local so i'll have one built by Keith at Proedge or Thorns.
I'm hearing a lot of GOOD things about the Sling Blade which is the direction i'm leaning in a 9' H with a 16" handle.
Is anyone throwing that rod and is it everthing it's cracked up to be?
Thanks for all the good feedback! |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | It is amazing how versatile that XHF Legend Tournament really is. Before the Slingblade that rod was the Go to in my boat for sure! |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | DaDson's Custom Rods give Scott or Sean Bermingham a call |
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Location: Des Moines IA | Franks ..... No Doubt about it .................. |
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Location: New Richmond, WI | If you go with a slingblade you might have to wait awile. I have been waiting since January for mine from Pro Edge. Guess he just can't get any in. He said I am one of the top 3 in line right now. |
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Posts: 375
| after using my xh croix big dawg rod from keith at proedge for that medium 8 oz rubber you spoke of i wouldn't want to use the mh slingblade for that. actually i wish the big dawg blank were even just a bit stiffer for that application! i use the big dawg for the db 10's and it is perfect for that application in my opinion... |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | STUSHSKY - 5/3/2009 3:25 PM
after using my xh croix big dawg rod from keith at proedge for that medium 8 oz rubber you spoke of i wouldn't want to use the mh slingblade for that.
The Slingblade isn't Medium Heavy (MH) it's Heavy. The Top -n- Tail is the MH. And your right, I wouldn't want to use a MH for rubber. The 8'6" Slingblade handles it great! The XH is an awesome versatile rod as well, and requires much less finesse due to it's power. Like I said before, the XHF was my go to rod up until last ('08) summer when I started throwing a Slingblade. The 9' Predator XH at Thornes is a nice in-between rod of the Big Dawg and the Slingblade - Nice rigid backbone and a nice soft tip.
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Posts: 375
| thanks for the correction jsondag on the mh / h part but even with that being said personally i wouldn't feel comfortable using anything less than the xh big dawg for the bigger plastics. to each his own... |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | No doubt on the XH - Both are top shelf rods! |
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Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | Frank's custom rods without a Doubt. Just got done throwing my 25 Steel Loomis and could not believe the way it felt.
Hence the reason Frank is in the middle of building me another custom for Jerks. |
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| easy choice, 9' Pro Edge Sling Blade...sweet rod.
I have one that I love so far...
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Posts: 434
Location: Omaha, Nebraska | Seems like a lot of people like Frank's and Thorne Bros custom rods. I guess I will have to give both a call. Does anyone know the contact information for Frank's Bottiglieri Rods?
Edited by DEMolishedyou2 5/4/2009 9:23 AM
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Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | Frank's Custom Rods
630-309-8055 |
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Posts: 76
Location: Bartlett IL | Hey guys, thanks for the recommendations.
Matt, PM or drop me an email. |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | Another vote for Franks, As a matter of fact I will be picking up my custom Cowgirl rod on the 13th, I'll post some opics when I get it
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Posts: 75
Location: Aurora, IL. | All the above rod builders are great and have excellent reputations for rod quality and customer service. I use Keith at ProEdge. His number is 612-802-4629
Good luck!
Joe |
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Posts: 181
| I've used Franks, Thornes and Pro edge rods. I personally build my own and buy my materials from Thornes because they are AWESOME to deal with and very helpful. Steve Jonesi uses Franks and I was very impressed with the detail that went into his rods. But you said you wanted to stay local, if you change your mind definately give this guy a call, he may be the best out there!
Personally if I were chosing between Thornes and Pro edge (which you said you are going too) I'd go with Thorne Bros. Pro Edge doesn't use as wide a variety of blanks as Thorne Bros. and hasn't been doing it as long as Lonnie. On a side note my friends who have Pro edge rods seem to like them though and that speaks allot to me because these guys are certifiable about their equipment. I just like Thorne Bros for their people and products and have never had a bad experiance with them. (they built two for me and I purchased the components for two over this past winter)
Loomis Steel 25 is one heck of a blank, but I'm not sure if you can get that in 9' like you want. If I remember Thornes would extend it out to around 8'9"(someone correct me if I'm wrong). I just built a 8'6" on a competitor series from Thornes that would work perfect for what your doing. Retail on that rod will run you 150-200 I believe which is well within your budget. And Thorne bros should be able to extend that to 9' for you. You also may be able to spend some of that extra $ on lures while your there.  Call them and tell them what you want, sure they have more ideas than this thread will introduce.
Be carefull though whoever you buy from that they allow you to pick what YOU want not try and persuade you into something else because that has a bigger markup or is in stock.
Sorry about the long post, this one is close to my heart because of my love of fishing poles. I'd carry a dozen in the boat if there was room...
Edited by jnelson 5/4/2009 6:39 PM
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| the berminghams at dadsons- total pros, awesome to deal with, and absolutely amazing rods!
steve |
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| Thanks again for everyones feedback on this subject. It's given me a good starting point for choosing a rod.
Thanks Everyone! |
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